Bruichladdich 1993/2023 30 Years - Malts of Scotland
Islay without peat, but full of depth. Those familiar with older Bruichladdich expressions know this distillery offers not smoke, but structure, elegance, and a quiet strength. Independent bottler Malts of Scotland has secured a venerable bourbon barrel from 1993 – and with it, shows what time can do to a fine single malt. Matured for 30 years on the Isle of Islay, bottled at 45.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose unfolds with a beautifully layered complexity. Tropical fruits glide gently into the scene – mango, pineapple, dragon fruit – accompanied by soft cotton candy and delicate honey. A subtle oak note lingers in the background, tied together with cereal, Bircher muesli and almond milk. There’s even a light nuttiness reminiscent of trail mix. This is old-school Bruichladdich at its best: multifaceted, elegant, never overpowering.
Palate
The first sip confirms the promise: a textbook mature bourbon cask. Again, tropical fruit – mango and papaya now – paired with oats, cereals, and subtle chia or psyllium seed notes, evoking a modern breakfast bowl. It may sound unusual, but it works perfectly with the soft sweetness and malty core. With the second sip, the spice arrives: robust, mature oak, dry and assertive but never bitter. A persistent sweetness remains – somewhere between a fruity granola bar and sun-ripened fruit.
Finish
The finish is medium in length, oaky and spicy, with a hint of vanilla and a flash of apple. Compared to the beautifully expressive nose and palate, the finish feels a touch simpler, more on the dry side. Not weak – far from it – but more restrained. In a whisky of this quality, that makes it the “least strong” part, which still means “very good.”
Thoughts
Marcel 89/100
This Bruichladdich 1993/2023 is like a quiet friend, inviting you to relax with tropical sweetness and mature oak. Not every dram needs to make a grand entrance; here, it’s the subtle, enjoyable depth that counts – a whisky that rewards patience with character. Only the finish could use a bit more pep, but that just makes the whole experience charmingly human.
Sascha 92/100
An impressively structured single malt that clearly reflects its maturation in a high-quality bourbon barrel over 30 years. The balance between tropical fruit sweetness, a malty base, and dry oak is top-notch, although the slightly restrained finish slightly limits the overall impression. For lovers of refined cask maturation and harmonious complexity, this is a first-class example of independent bottling craftsmanship.
Value for Money: No rating
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80/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t the Bruichladdich 1993/2023, aged 30 years, smoky even though it’s from Islay?
Bruichladdich is known for maintaining an unpeated style on Islay. Unlike other distilleries on the island, the focus here is on a clear, elegant structure and fruity aromas, rather than smoke or peat.
What does it mean that the whisky is non-chill filtered and natural color?
Non-chill filtered means the whisky wasn’t filtered at low temperatures, preserving more natural flavors and oils. Natural color indicates that no artificial coloring was added, emphasizing the whisky’s authenticity.
How does the 30-year maturation in a bourbon barrel influence the taste of this Bruichladdich?
The long maturation in a bourbon barrel imparts complex depth with pronounced tropical fruit notes like mango and papaya, along with a gentle sweetness. At the same time, the matured oak adds spice and a pleasant dryness without overpowering the flavor.